The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has opened an Adire Hub at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, Ogun State, as part of efforts to upgrade local Adire production and position the indigenous textile for domestic and international markets.
The initiative, promoted by Global Adire Egba Development Limited in collaboration with ICLED Business School, Lekki, Lagos, is expected to provide training, skills development and access to financing for Adire producers.
Speaking with journalists during the opening of the hub on Thursday, the Project Coordinator, Prof. Olajumoke Familoni, said the facility was established to train and upskill Adire producers to enable them to compete effectively in the global market.
Familoni, who is also the President/Provost of ICLED Business School, Lekki, Lagos, and a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management, said the hub was part of the proposed Adire Village project.
She said, “We are here because we are trying to open up the hub. Adire Hub is a part of the proposed Adire Village. The hub right now is to educate and upskill the Adire producers so that they can partake in the domestic and international market. We are going to train them and expose them to multiple financing options and all that because we cannot leave them out there and expect them to partake in a global market at the level where they are.
